VCT 2026: Paper Rex vs EDward Gaming was peak VALORANT

I’ve been at the VALORANT Masters in London, watching the VCT live as it’s happening, and Paper Rex vs EDward Gaming during the upper semi-finals was the best performance I’ve seen. Unconventionally played, consistently exciting, and technically brilliant, it shows that Riot Games’ tactical shooter is at its peak in 2026.

Not quite a Breeze

Both Kyusai Managing Director Josie Clark and I attended the VCT 2026 Upper Finals at the Copper Box arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Watching the gruelling match between Paper Rex and EDward Gaming highlighted just how far pro-level VALORANT has come in its storied history; there’s a reason why the full PRX vs EDG match goes over the two-and-a-half-hour mark; it was as aggressive and thrilling as you would hope for. Three maps, constant overtime, and the highest level of play possible made this the game of the season.

Paper Rex started strong on Breeze, taking two rounds from EDward Gaming without breaking a sweat, and then the script was flipped as the Chinese team hit back with two wins of their own; however, Round 6 was where VALORANT esports really came to life. That’s because EDG went on to dominate the map with five wins in a row. There was no other way of putting it, really. Paper Rex had all the momentum taken out of them in the first half, even though the Singaporean team clawed back two wins before half-time.

Or so it seemed. Following Paper Rex winning the pistol round and an impressive play on Round 14, it looked as though EDward Gaming were done. A clutch on Round 15 from EDG seemed to turn the tide, but they didn’t, as PRX struck back harder with four dominating rounds in a row before a Round 20 defuse and a Round 21 spike explosion brought the game into Overtime. It was all to play for now, but EDG wasn’t letting up, winning three rounds in a row before trading during Overtime for the win.

Fractured hope

The first VALORANT game played kept us guessing, but the second map was where we saw more of this back-and-forth from Paper Rex and EDward Gaming really come into focus. It was all fairly level until Round 7, where EDG mounted a (seemingly) unstoppable attack wave until half-time, giving PRX very little in the way of breathing room. Without question, Smoggy and CHICHOO were the ones to watch during this time, particularly evident in just how effortless the former made Phoenix look as he dominated the battlefield. All seemed pretty clear, but Paper Rex wasn’t lying down.

After winning the pistol round, Jinggg and company hit back with a five-round domination on the attacking side before EDward Gaming clutched two last-minute diffuses. It looked like they had swung the momentum back between Rounds 22 and 24, but it was all for nothing, as Paper Rex made quick work of them during the Overtime stage. Losing here would mean going out, obviously, so they clutched it and stayed in the bracket. It’s 1-1, and the best VALORANT match I’ve ever seen.

Split decision

This constant game of back and forth was consistently thrilling, showcasing what’s so immersive and engrossing about VALORANT esports, but things began to normalize with the third map, Split. The pendulum continued to swing both ways aggressively; perhaps this was what drove Paper Rex to lock in on the defensive side, whereas they came out the gate all guns blazing with the first two rounds body-bagged as per, succumbing to three round losses in a row clearly unlocked something for the team, which were clearly tired and frustrated by this point.

With Rounds 6 to 11, Paper Rex proved why they’re among the best VALORANT teams to watch in the scene. They made it look so easy. Three diffuses in a row and straight domination up until halftime, where EDward Gaming attempted to claw things back. Well, they couldn’t. Despite winning pistols and attempting to mount a comeback in Round 13 and Round 14, it was basically over at this point. Paper Rex was through with giving up any ground, as they had been, effectively rubber-banding with a dominating lead and then unable to close the deal until it was (almost) too late.

PRX went on to dunk on EDG, decisively winning 13-6, and it wasn’t even close. The marathon session showcased that even when a situation looks unwinnable or clearly one-sided, it isn’t always. For most of the Upper Semi-Finals, it was near-impossible to call with the long streaks and halted momentum. It’s the reason why we watch esports, why we love the games played at the highest level, and exactly why VALORANT is the game to be paying attention to the most in 2026.